Piggies don't seem to like floor time

[SallyM79]

We have had our pigs for around 3 weeks now and they seem to be gaining in confidence when in their cage. However, we have had them out for floor time 3 times but they don't seem to like it. They just want to stay hidden in their igloo not even coming out for hay. We kept them out for most of today but no difference. As soon as they were back in their cage, they were lively and happy. Unfortunately I am only able to get them out at weekends due to work so do you think they are just not used to it?

 

[My_little_Piggy]

I recommend that every time you get home from work do floor time. Do it for 30 minutes a day. Also try some veggies to get them out. Also add things that they are familiar with like toys and huts. That way they will feel more comfortable with floor time. I hope that helps.

 

[Claire5012]

Hi there. Its still early days, i wouldn't worry too much about it at the moment. It'll take them time. That said, mine didn't like floor time at first until i introduced a huge pile of hay for them to hide in and a cardboard box containing some treat hay. I think as long as you make the experience food oriented you cant go much wrong. My boys only ever have orchard grass hay and oat hay during floor time which makes the experience exciting. Also i sit with them and hand feed them pepper pieces which i cut up small and give to them throughout their floor time adventure. They went from hiding in the igloo for the duration of floor time to clambering across my lap to come out

 

[Wiebke]

We have had our pigs for around 3 weeks now and they seem to be gaining in confidence when in their cage. However, we have had them out for floor time 3 times but they don't seem to like it. They just want to stay hidden in their igloo not even coming out for hay. We kept them out for most of today but no difference. As soon as they were back in their cage, they were lively and happy. Unfortunately I am only able to get them out at weekends due to work so do you think they are just not used to it?

Hi!
Please give your piggies time to get used to their cage first.

Be aware that guinea pigs have a strong fear of exposed open new places - that is where they are most vulnerable to predators.
Dot scent marked hideys, cardboard boxes, children's stools etc. around the run about max 1 foot apart to give them plenty of save bases from which to explore the roaming ground from. If you can, peg a sheet or towel over the run or at least part of it to give them a feeling of protection. Use stuff they have had time to explore and scent mark in their cage first to make the roaming ground feel more 'theirs' and safe.

A piggy will not go where others haven't been. Because scent is one of the weaker human senses, we tend to underestimate how much piggies are wired to follow scent spoors and identify themselves with scent marked territory.

I hope that that helps you?

 

[SallyM79]

Thanks all. I have been putting the hideys and tunnels that are usually in their cage into the floor time area. Maybe I am rushing them. Will keep getting to know them and hopefully they will keep growing in confidence.